Decorative light guide as high-speed optical interconnect

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure include equipment and process schemes for using a plastic decorative light guide of a vehicle as a high-speed optical interconnect. An exemplary method can include forming a decorative light guide from a transparent material. The decorative light guide includes a first insert and a second insert. A light characteristic for optical communication through the decorative light guide is selected based on a current color of the decorative light guide. Light having the light characteristic is injected by a light emitter into the first insert and the light is received by a light receiver from the second insert.

INTRODUCTION

The subject disclosure relates to automotive data communication andtelematics, and particularly to using a decorative light guide as ahigh-speed optical interconnect by leveraging the lightguide propertiesof plastic.

The number of control functions and control objects required in a motorvehicle has rapidly increased to satisfy the increasing power and datarequirements for ever more sophisticated in-vehicle data communicationsystems. Communication systems increasingly rely upon a greater numberand variety of sensors, cameras, and the like to enhance the driverexperience.

Typically, one or more electronic control units (ECUs) manages datacommunication between the various sensors, cameras, and other controlobjects (e.g., engine and exhaust system ECU(s), etc.) of the in-vehicledata communication system. To accommodate a greater number of controlobjects, the number of terminals (inputs/outputs) of the ECU hasincreased, leading to larger and more complex ECU designs. Moreover, thenumber of physical connections (wires) required between the ECUs and thevarious control objects has similarly increased.

The ECU(s) are typically located at or below the dashboard, while thecontrol objects of the in-vehicle data communication systems can belocated arbitrarily throughout the vehicle. For example, control objectscan be found on the roof, at the wheelbase, at or near the rear-viewmirror, etc. A wiring harness is used to route the connections betweenthe ECU(s) and the control objects which are located above thedashboard. The wiring harness usually routes through the A-pillar of thevehicle frame.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes using a plasticdecorative light guide of a vehicle as a high-speed opticalinterconnect. The method can include forming a decorative light guideusing a transparent material, a first insert, and a second insert. Themethod includes selecting a light characteristic for opticalcommunication through the decorative light guide based on a currentcolor of the decorative light guide. The method further includesinjecting, by a light emitter, light having the light characteristicinto the first insert and receiving, by a light receiver, the light fromthe second insert.

In some embodiments, the light characteristic includes at least one of acolor, a frequency, a wavelength, and an intensity of the light.

In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the lightcharacteristic can be selected such that observable portions of theoptical communication through the decorative light guide match thecurrent color of the decorative light guide. In some embodiments, thelight characteristic is selected from nonvisual light frequencies. Insome embodiments, the light characteristic is selected from visual lightfrequencies.

In some embodiments, light passes between the first insert and thesecond insert in a direction parallel to a major surface of thedecorative light guide.

In some embodiments, the first insert and the second insert each includea polished transparent material having a surface variation of less than3 percent.

In some embodiments, the light emitter defines a portion of acommunication hub on the surface of the first insert and the lightreceiver defines a portion of a control object on the surface of thesecond insert. In some embodiments, the control object includes one ormore of a camera, a display, a rain sensor, an air quality sensor, adriver monitor, a passenger monitor, and a microphone. In someembodiments, the communication hub negotiates with the control object tocommunicate through the decorative light guide using light having theselected light characteristic.

In another exemplary embodiment a system is configured to provide ahigh-speed optical interconnect in a vehicle. The system includes adecorative light guide, a first insert in a first region of thedecorative light guide, and a second insert in a second region of thedecorative light guide. A processor is configured to select a lightcharacteristic for optical communication through the decorative lightguide based on a current color of the decorative light guide. A lightemitter is positioned on a surface of the first insert. The lightemitter is configured to inject light having the light characteristicinto the first insert. A light receiver is positioned on a surface ofthe second insert. The light receiver is configured to receive the lightat the surface of the second insert.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages ofthe disclosure are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only,in the following detailed description, the detailed descriptionreferring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a vehicle configured to use a decorative light guide as ahigh-speed optical interconnect by leveraging the lightguide propertiesof plastic according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a section view of the decorative light guide of the vehicleshown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a computer system according to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart in accordance with one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, its application or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. Asused herein, the term module refers to processing circuitry that mayinclude an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electroniccircuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory thatexecutes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinationallogic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide thedescribed functionality.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the development ofsophisticated in-vehicle data communication systems is necessary to meetthe demands of the automotive industry. To enhance the driverexperience, an ever-increasing number and variety of sensors, cameras,and the like are employed throughout the vehicle. In-vehicle datacommunication systems must adapt to keep up with the increasing powerand data requirements of these control objects (also referred to asmodules).

Some challenges for in-vehicle data communication systems include dataand communication routing. Each control object must have means tocommunicate with other vehicle systems, such as the ECU(s), typicallyvia data cables and low and high-power wiring. For example, a rainsensor requires a data path to its respective ECU so that measured rainlevels can be provided for windshield wiper control, etc. The locationswhere the ECUs and control objects are located can be dispersedthroughout the vehicle. Consequently, routing has become morecomplicated as the number of the control objects has increased and theirlocation throughout the vehicle has dispersed. For example, the numberof data cables and low and high-power wires and their distances to theirrespective ECU(s) have generally increased.

The wiring harness has become progressively larger to accommodate theincreasing number of power and data connections of the in-vehicle datacommunication system. To fit these larger wiring harnesses, the vehiclepillars (e.g., A-pillar) are facing similar scaling issues, as a largerpillar is needed to accommodate the wiring harness. Manufacturersprefer, however, flexibility in providing a smaller pillar to improvethe customer experience. For example, a smaller A-pillar enables a widerfront windshield.

Rather than continually increasing the size and complexity of the wiringharness, embodiments described herein leverage the natural lightguideproperties of plastic to use one or more decorative light guides (e.g.,the primary dashboard light guide, vent light guides, instrument panellight guides, etc.) as a high-speed optical interconnect. In someembodiments, various control objects are attached or otherwise coupledto the decorative light guide and high-speed optical communication witha remote communication hub (communication gateway, ECU, etc.) is madethrough the decorative light guide in a direction parallel to the majorsurface of the decorative light guide (i.e., along the installed ormolded path of the decorative light guide). In this manner one or moredecorative light guides (e.g., the primary dashboard light guide or anyother decorative light guide in the vehicle) can replace one or moredata cables of the in-vehicle data communication system, alleviatingsize constraints on the wiring harness. In particular, the wiringharness can be greatly simplified as only power would need to be gated(e.g., to the roof) via the wiring harness.

Technical solutions described herein facilitate a range of improvementsto automotive and data communication technology. As an initial matter,modifying the in-vehicle data communication system to leverage thelightguide properties of plastic allows for the utilization of variousplastic elements within the vehicle (e.g., plastic dashboard lightguides, instrument panel light guides, etc.) as a layer of informationtransfer to enable a highspeed link on all devices that are attached tothe decorative light guide. In addition, such a configuration allows forthe placement of control objects without worrying about their impact onthe wiring harness. Moreover, control objects can be placed in locationswhich are otherwise infeasible due to wiring harness accessdifficulties. For example, locations where a wiring harness cannotservice, where manufacturing a wiring harness to service a locationwould be prohibitively complicated or expensive, or where sizingconsiderations for the respective wiring harness cannot satisfy pillarwidth design targets.

Other technical advantages are possible. In some embodiments, acentralized communication hub is positioned on the decorative lightguide to send and receive data from a plurality of control objects (alsopositioned on the decorative light guide). The communication hub can usea mixture of light frequencies and wavelengths (e.g., color, visiblelight, infrared light, etc.) for optical communication via thedecorative light guide to provide redundancy and interferenceprotection. In some embodiments, the communication hub uses a colormatching protocol whereby the color of light used for the primarycommunication channel (and/or one or more secondary communicationchannels) with one or more control objects changes to match the currentcolor of the decorative light guide. For example, if the decorativelight guide changes from blue to red (due, e.g., to a user selectionand/or automated process) the primary communication channel for opticalcommunication between the communication hub and one or more controlobjects can switch from blue light to red light frequencies.

In some embodiments, nonvisible light frequencies are used for theprimary communication channel (and/or one or more secondarycommunication channels), which can be piped through the decorative lightguide at substantially the same time as (i.e., concurrently with) thecurrent visible color for the decorative light guide. As used herein,nonvisible light frequencies refer to light which cannot be seen by thehuman eye (e.g., frequencies below 430 THz or above 790 THz, equivalentto wavelengths below 390 nm and above 700 nm). In this manner opticalcommunication across the decorative light guide is not observable (e.g.,to drivers, passengers, etc.) and will not impact the visible color ofthe decorative light guide.

In other embodiments, the communication hub uses a communicationprotocol whereby visible frequencies of light are preferentially usedfor the primary communication channel (and/or one or more secondarycommunication channels) with the one or more control objects. As usedherein, visible light frequencies refer to light which can be seen bythe human eye (e.g., frequencies between 430 THz and 790 THz, equivalentto wavelengths between 390 nm and 700 nm). For example, the decorativelight guide can change visible characteristics (e.g., color, brightnessand/or intensity, strobing effects, etc.) as needed to provide opticalcommunication between the communication hub and one or more controlobjects. In this manner the optical communication itself is observableand can be enjoyed by users (e.g., drivers, passengers, etc.) as theyobserve the decorative light guide. Additionally, using plasticdecorative light guides as a high-speed optical interconnect allows forhigher bandwidth peripherals as those data connections are no longergated by cable limitations.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 100 configured to use a plastic decorativelight guide 102 (e.g., the primary decorative light guide, an instrumentpanel light guide, etc.) as a high-speed optical interconnect byleveraging the lightguide properties of plastic according to one or moreembodiments. As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 100 can include variousstructural elements (e.g., a frame 104, doors 106, a dashboard 108, aninstrument panel 110, etc.) configured together or separately to housethe decorative light guide 102. The frame 104 can include, for example,the roof, front bulkhead, and various pillars (e.g., A-pillar) of thevehicle 100. The instrument panel 110 can include, for example, one ormore dials or gauges configured to display information (e.g., gas level,speed, RPMs, etc.) to a user of the vehicle 100.

The vehicle 100 further includes a communication hub 112 and one or morecontrol objects (e.g., control objects 114, 116, 118). The number, size,and relative position of the communication hub 112 and each of thecontrol objects 114, 116, 118 on the decorative light guide 102 isprovided for ease of discussion and illustration only and is not meantto be particularly limited. In various embodiments the number, size,and/or location of the control objects can differ. Moreover, in someembodiments, the vehicle 100 includes two or more communication hubs(e.g., communication hub 112 and one or more additional hubs, notseparately shown).

Similarly, the number and general configuration of the decorative lightguide(s) (e.g., decorative light guide 102) is provided for ease ofdiscussion and illustration only and is not meant to be particularlylimited. In some embodiments, one or more additional decorative lightguides (e.g., additional decorative light guide 120) are arrangedthroughout the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, a subset of the controlobjects 114, 116, 118 are arranged on the decorative light guide 102while remaining control objects 114, 116, 118 are arranged on the one ormore additional decorative light guides (e.g., additional decorativelight guide 120).

The communication hub 112 can be a high-speed optical gateway withintegration to one or more vehicle networks (e.g., remote ECUs,processors, etc., not separately shown). In some embodiments, thecommunication hub 112 includes direct wiring to the one or more vehiclenetworks. In some embodiments, the communication hub 112 is configuredwith an emitter and a receiver for optical communication across thedecorative light guide 102. A more detailed description of thecommunication hub 112 is described with respect to FIG. 2 .

The control objects 114, 116, 118 can include any number of sensors,cameras, and other high-speed or high-bandwidth accessories (driverand/or passenger health or alertness monitors, air quality monitors, airconditioning and/or vent controllers, etc.). The type and functionalityof the control objects 114, 116, 118 is not meant to be particularlylimited and can include accessories currently available or developed inthe future.

In some embodiments, the control objects 114, 116, 118 serve the samegeneral functionality (e.g., a driver monitor and a passenger monitor,etc.). In some embodiments, each of the control objects 114, 116, 118serves a different function for the vehicle 100. For example, thecontrol object 114 can include a rear-view camera screen, the controlobject 116 can include a rain sensor, and the control object 118 caninclude an air quality monitor. Other control objects (not separatelyshown) can include, for example, a microphone for measuring ambientnoise levels.

In some embodiments, each of the control objects 114, 116, 118 isconfigured with an emitter and a receiver for optical communicationacross the decorative light guide 102. In this manner, data collectedfrom the control objects 114, 116, 118 can be utilized by remote systems(ECUs, processors, etc., not separately shown) of the vehicle 100 forcontrol decisions. For example, ambient noise levels measured from amicrophone can be used by a remote ECU to compensate (increase ordecrease) radio or phone sound levels. Air quality data can be used by aremote ECU to enable air recycling (i.e., closing the air system). Amore detailed description of the control objects 114, 116, 118 isdescribed with respect to FIG. 2 .

In some embodiments, the communication hub 112, the control objects 114,116, 118, and the remote systems (e.g., ECUs) of the vehicle 100collectively define all or part of a comprehensive in-vehicle datacommunication system (not separately shown). The in-vehicle datacommunication system can further include the various data and powerconnections (wiring, wiring harnesses, etc.) required to communicativelycouple the communication hub 112, the control objects 114, 116, 118, andthe remote systems.

In some embodiments, the various decorative light guides (e.g., thedecorative light guide 102 and the additional decorative light guide120) can be configured as a single cooperative optical communicationsystem. In some embodiments, coordination among the various decorativelight guides is maintained by communicatively coupling each of thedecorative light guides to the communication hub 112 and/or the remotesystems (e.g., ECUs) of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, each ofthe decorative light guides is provided its own communication hub 112that is communicatively coupled to other communication hubs (notseparately shown) and/or the remote systems (e.g., ECUs) of the vehicle100.

In some embodiments, the various decorative light guides (e.g., thedecorative light guide 102 and the additional decorative light guide120) can be configured as separate optical communication layers, eachhaving its own communication hub 112 (not separately shown). In someembodiments, each communication hub 112 is communicatively coupled tosome set (including all) of the remote systems (e.g., ECUs) of thevehicle 100. In this type of configuration each of the decorative lightguides (e.g., the decorative light guide 102 and the additionaldecorative light guide 120) and their respective communication hub 112serves as its own optical communication subsystem for one or morecontrol objects (e.g., some set of the control objects 114, 116, 118) ofthe vehicle 100. Advantageously, such an arrangement allows for each ofthe decorative light guides to be configured differently if desired(e.g., depending on the data requirements/relative priority/etc. of theattached control objects).

FIG. 2 illustrates a section view of the decorative light guide 102 ofthe vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 1 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the relativepositions between the communication hub 112 and the control objects(e.g., control object 116) on the decorative light guide 102 have beenmodified for ease of discussion. As further shown in FIG. 2 , thedecorative light guide 102 includes a major surface 202 and a light path204 that runs below and parallel to the major surface 202.

To leverage plastic (e.g., a plastic decorative light guide) as alightguide, one or more highly polished inserts (e.g., inserts 206 a,206 b) are placed within the decorative light guide 102 at an angleperpendicular to the major surface 202. The inserts 206 a, 206 b can bemade from any material suitable for light transmission, such as, forexample, glass, plastic, etc. (i.e., a wholly or partially transparentmaterial). As used herein, a highly polished insert refers to an insertwhich is polished until the surface has a roughness average (Ra) between0.0025 and 0.2 micrometers (i.e., variation as measured from a meanheight). In some embodiments, the inserts 206 a, 206 b are made of asame plastic material as the decorative light guide 102. In someembodiments, the inserts 206 a, 206 b are made of a different materialthan the decorative light guide 102.

The inserts 206 a, 206 b can be molded or otherwise incorporated withinthe decorative light guide 102 during manufacture of the decorativelight guide 102. Advantageously, a plastic decorative light guide can beeasily molded to any desired shape/rail configuration and the inserts206 a, 206 b, etc. can be incorporated within the decorative light guide102 during the same molding process. Alternatively, the inserts 206 a,206 b can be inserted within the decorative light guide 102 aftermanufacture of the decorative light guide 102. In either case, multipleinserts can be pre-fabricated at arbitrary locations along thedecorative light guide 102 to serve as later “plug and play” attachmentpoints. In some embodiments, one or more grooves (not separately shown)are formed in the decorative light guide 102 and polished prior toinstallation of the inserts 206 a, 206 b. In some embodiments, each ofthe one or more grooves are sized to accommodate an insert (i.e., aninsert can be inserted or otherwise installed within a groove).

In some embodiments, the inserts 206 a, 206 b are placed, molded, orotherwise formed at a depth of roughly 50% the thickness of thedecorative light guide 102 (i.e., terminating rough half-way through thedecorative light guide 102), although other configurations are withinthe contemplated scope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, theinserts 206 a, 206 b are placed, molded, or otherwise formed toterminate at a depth of roughly 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%,or 90% the thickness of the decorative light guide 102 (as measured fromthe topmost surface 202). In some embodiments, one or more of theinserts 206 a, 206 b are positioned directly against a sidewall of thedecorative light guide 102 rather than within a groove. In still otherembodiments, one or more of the inserts 206 a, 206 b are placed, molded,or otherwise formed below a surface of the sidewall of the decorativelight guide 102.

As discussed previously, the inserts 206 a, 206 b serve as attachmentpoints for the various control objects (e.g., the control objects 114,116, 118) and communication hubs (e.g., the communication hub 112) onthe decorative light guide 102. In some embodiments, the communicationhub 112 and the control object 114 are attached to the inserts 206 a and206 b, respectively (as shown in FIG. 2 ).

In some embodiments, the communication hub 112 includes an emitter 208configured to inject light into the decorative light guide 102 via theinsert 206 a. In some embodiments, the emitter 208 is a high-power lightemitter, such as an LED emitter, or of a same or similar type of lightemitter as used for fiber optics. In some embodiments, the communicationhub 112 further includes a receiver 210 configured to receive light viathe insert 206 a. In this manner two-way optical communication can bemade via the insert 206 a through the decorative light guide 102. Insome embodiments, the emitter 208 and the receiver 210 are separatemodules within the communication hub 112. In some embodiments, theemitter 208 and the receiver 210 are incorporated within the same modulewithin the communication hub 112.

In some embodiments, the communication hub 112 is communicativelycoupled via wiring 212 to one or more remote ECU(s) (e.g., processors214) of an in-vehicle data communication system (not separately shown)of the vehicle 100. In this manner the communication hub 112 serves as agateway or middleman for communication between the various controlobjects 114, 116, 118 and the processors 214. In some embodiments, thecommunication hub 112 and/or the processors 214 can be positioned suchthat a wiring harness is not required between the communication hub 112and the processors 214. In this configuration the communication hub 112can include an optical connection to the processors 214 and to thevarious control objects (e.g., control object 114) on the decorativelight guide 102. In other embodiments, the communication hub 112 isprovided a direct wired connection to the processors 214 either via awiring harness or as a simple wired connection without a full harness.In this configuration the communication hub 112 has a direct wiredconnection to the processors 214 and an optical connection to thevarious control objects (e.g., control object 114) on the decorativelight guide 102.

In some embodiments, the control objects (e.g., control object 116) eachinclude an emitter 216 and a receiver 218, configured in a same manneras the emitter 208 and receiver 210 for two-way optical communicationvia inserts (e.g., insert 206 b) through the decorative light guide 102.In some embodiments, the emitter 216 and the receiver 218 are separatemodules within the respective control object of the control objects 114,116, 118. In some embodiments, the emitter 216 and the receiver 218 areincorporated within the same module within the respective control objectof the control objects 114, 116, 118.

One advantage of the in-vehicle data communication system describedherein is that the described insert and emitter/receiver orientationwill not impact the light transfer between both systems (i.e., betweenthe communication hub and its respective sensor or a combination ofmultiple sensors with a hub between).

In some embodiments, the inserts 206 a, 206 b, the control objects 114,116, 118, and the communication hub 112 are preinstalled in thedecorative light guide 102 and preconfigured for communication with theprocessors 214. In some embodiments, only the communication hub 112 andthe insert 206 a are preinstalled in the decorative light guide 102. Insome embodiments, only the inserts (e.g., inserts 206 a, 206 b) arepreinstalled in the decorative light guide 102. In this manner theinserts 206 a, 206 b serve as “plug and play” attachment points thatallow for future customizations and upgrades including, for example, theincorporation of advanced accessories that are later developed, withonly minimal impact.

In some embodiments, installation (attachment) of a control object(e.g., the control object 116) initiates a handshake/authenticationprocess with the communication hub 112 and/or the processors 214. Forexample, a new control object (e.g., the control object 116) can beinstalled at an existing, unused insert of the inserts 206 a, 206 b.Once installed, the control object can exchange handshake/authenticationdata with the communication hub 112 and/or the processors 214 toestablish the optical communication link.

In some embodiments, the handshake/authentication exchange includes anegotiation for communication parameters, such as, for example, requireddata rates, light characteristics for the optical communication channel(e.g., wavelength, frequency, visible, IR, etc.), active/sleepingcommunication windows, definitions or parameters that will be passed toor from the control object, etc. In some embodiments, a newly installedcontrol object can request to communicate over a particular lightfrequency or wavelength and, if available, the communication hub 112and/or the processors 214 can acknowledge the requested communicationmedium as an available and accepted communication channel. In someembodiments, the communication hub 112 specifies which wavelengths havedata to the newly installed control object.

In some embodiments, the various control objects (e.g., control object116) and the communication hub 112 communicate over light frequencies orwavelengths specially allocated for accessories, therefore not impactingany OEM default/high priority systems (not separately shown) of thevehicle 100. In some embodiments, each of the control objects (e.g.,control objects 114, 116, 118) is assigned a band of light frequenciesor wavelengths over which communication is authorized. In this mannereach control object can be provided with a dedicated communicationchannel. In some embodiments, the assigned frequencies or wavelengthspartially or wholly overlap with the assigned frequencies or wavelengthsof one or more other control objects, if needed or desired for aparticular configuration.

To provide redundancy and interference protection, in some embodiments,the various control objects (e.g., control object 116) and thecommunication hub 112 communicate over a primary optical medium (e.g.,red light) as well as one or more secondary or backup optical mediums(e.g., yellow light).

To provide bandwidth flexibility, in some embodiments, the variouscontrol objects (e.g., control object 116) and the communication hub 112communicate over a primary optical medium (e.g., red light), with theoption to include additional optical mediums when necessary to satisfybandwidth considerations (e.g., red light and yellow light). In someembodiments, a control object can be assigned more, or fewer, opticalcommunication channels (mediums) dynamically as the required bandwidthfor the respective control object changes over time. For example, acontrol object can initialize communication with the communication hub112 over green light, and later, increase bandwidth by communicatingover green, red, and yellow light. Bandwidth flexibility can also beemployed by progressively assigning control objects to optical mediumswhich have capacity (e.g., assign control objects to red light until“full” and then start using yellow light, etc.).

FIG. 3 illustrates aspects of an embodiment of a computer system 300that can perform various aspects of embodiments described herein. Insome embodiments, the computer system 300 can be incorporated within oneor more of the communication hub 112 and the control objects 114, 116,118. The computer system 300 includes at least one processing device302, which generally includes one or more processors for performingaspects of methods described herein.

Components of the computer system 300 include the processing device 302(such as one or more processors or processing units), a memory 304, anda bus 306 that couples various system components including the systemmemory 304 to the processing device 302. The system memory 304 mayinclude a variety of computer system readable media. Such media can beany available media that is accessible by the processing device 302, andincludes both volatile and non-volatile media, and removable andnon-removable media.

For example, the system memory 304 includes a non-volatile memory 308such as a hard drive, and may also include a volatile memory 310, suchas random access memory (RAM) and/or cache memory. The computer system300 can further include other removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media.

The system memory 304 can include at least one program product having aset (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carryout functions of the embodiments described herein. For example, thesystem memory 304 stores various program modules that generally carryout the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments described herein.A module or modules 312, 314 may be included to perform functionsrelated to one or more of the control objects 114, 116, 118 and thecommunication hub 112 such as, for example, acquiring images (e.g., fora camera), controlling windshield wiper speed based on sensor data(e.g., for a rain sensor), etc. The system 300 is not so limited, asother modules may be included depending on the functionality of therespective control objects. As used herein, the term “module” refers toprocessing circuitry that may include an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated,or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmwareprograms, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitablecomponents that provide the described functionality.

The processing device 302 can also be configured to communicate with oneor more external devices 316 such as, for example, a keyboard, apointing device, and/or any devices (e.g., other control objects, thecommunication hub 112, a network card, a modem, ECUs, etc.) that enablethe processing device 302 to communicate with one or more othercomputing devices. Communication with various devices can occur viaInput/Output (I/O) interfaces 318 and 320.

The processing device 302 may also communicate with one or more networks322 such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network(WAN), a bus network and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via anetwork adapter 324. In some embodiments, the network adapter 324 is orincludes an optical network adaptor for communication over an opticalnetwork (e.g., optical communication across the decorative light guide102). It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components may be used in conjunction with the computersystem 300. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, devicedrivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAIDsystems, and data archival storage systems, etc.

In some embodiments, the processing device 302 is configured to selectthe light characteristics (e.g., color, frequency, wavelength,intensity, etc.) of light used for optical communication, for example,across the decorative light guide 102. In some embodiments, theprocessing device 302 is configured to select the light characteristicsfor communication between a communication hub (e.g., communication hub112) and a particular control object (e.g., control object 116) using astored policy stored (e.g., a policy stored in system memory 304). Thepolicy can include, for example, relative priorities for the types ofdata communicated over the decorative light guide 102.

In some embodiments, the processing device 302 uses the policy toenforce a color matching protocol whereby the color of light used forthe primary communication channel (and/or one or more secondarycommunication channels) with one or more control objects (e.g., controlobject 116) changes to match the current color of the decorative lightguide 102. This type of policy minimizes the observable (visible) impactof the optical communication across the decorative light guide 102. Forexample, if the decorative light guide 102 changes from blue to red(due, e.g., to a user selection and/or automated process) the primarycommunication channel for optical communication between thecommunication hub 112 and the control object 116 can also switch fromblue light to red light.

In some embodiments, nonvisible light frequencies are used for theprimary communication channel (and/or one or more secondarycommunication channels). Advantageously, nonvisible light can be pipedthrough the decorative light guide 102 at substantially the same time as(i.e., concurrently with) the current visible color for the decorativelight guide 102. In this manner optical communication across thedecorative light guide 102 is not observable (e.g., to drivers,passengers, etc.) and will not impact the visible color of thedecorative light guide 102.

In other embodiments, the processing device 302 uses the policy toenforce a communication protocol whereby visible colors of light arepreferentially used for the primary communication channel (and/or one ormore secondary communication channels) between the communication hub 112and the control objects 114, 116, 118. For example, the decorative lightguide 102 can change the visible characteristics (e.g., color,brightness and/or intensity, strobing effects, etc.) of the piped lightas needed to provide optical communication between the communication hub112 and the control object 116. In this manner the optical communicationitself is observable and can be enjoyed by users (e.g., drivers,passengers, etc.) that can see the decorative light guide 102. Toenhance this effect, the processing device 302 can be configured toprevent or disable the current “native” color selection for thedecorative light guide 102 (i.e., the currently selected color for thedecorative light guide) when optical communication is requested. In thismanner the visual effects of the optical communication can be enjoyedwithout interference from a baseline color property of the decorativelight guide 102.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a flowchart 400 for using a decorative lightguide as a high-speed optical interconnect is generally shown accordingto an embodiment. The flowchart 400 is described in reference to FIGS.1-3 and may include additional steps not depicted in FIG. 4 . Althoughdepicted in a particular order, the blocks depicted in FIG. 4 can berearranged, subdivided, and/or combined.

At block 402, a decorative light guide is formed. In some embodiments,the decorative light guide includes a transparent material, a firstinsert, and a second insert.

At block 404, a light characteristic is selected for opticalcommunication through the decorative light guide based on a currentcolor of the decorative light guide.

At block 406, light having the light characteristic is injected using alight emitter into the first insert. In some embodiments, the lightcharacteristic includes at least one of a color, a frequency, awavelength, and an intensity of the light.

In some embodiments, the light characteristic is selected such thatobservable portions of the optical communication through the decorativelight guide match the current color of the decorative light guide. Insome embodiments, the light characteristic is selected from nonvisuallight frequencies. In some embodiments, the light characteristic isselected from visual light frequencies.

At block 408, the light is received by a light receiver from the secondinsert. In some embodiments, the light passes between the first insertand the second insert in a direction parallel to a major surface of thedecorative light guide. In some embodiments, the first insert and thesecond insert each include a polished transparent material having asurface variation of less than 3 percent.

In some embodiments, the light emitter defines a portion of acommunication hub on the surface of the first insert and the lightreceiver defines a portion of a control object on the surface of thesecond insert. In some embodiments, the control object includes one ormore of a camera, a display, a rain sensor, an air quality sensor, adriver monitor, a passenger monitor, and a microphone. In someembodiments, the communication hub negotiates with the control object tocommunicate through the decorative light guide using light having theselected light characteristic.

While the above disclosure has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essentialscope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure notbe limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include allembodiments falling within the scope thereof

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: forming a decorative light guide comprising a transparent material, a first insert, and a second insert; selecting a light characteristic for optical communication through the decorative light guide based on a current color of the decorative light guide; injecting, by a light emitter, light having the light characteristic into the first insert; and receiving, by a light receiver, the light from the second insert.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the light characteristic comprises at least one of a color, a frequency, a wavelength, and an intensity of the light.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the light characteristic is selected such that observable portions of the optical communication through the decorative light guide match the current color of the decorative light guide.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the light characteristic is selected from nonvisual light frequencies.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the light characteristic is selected from visual light frequencies.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the light passes between the first insert and the second insert in a direction parallel to a major surface of the decorative light guide.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first insert and the second insert each comprise a polished transparent material having a surface variation of less than 3 percent.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the light emitter defines a portion of a communication hub on the surface of the first insert and the light receiver defines a portion of a control object on the surface of the second insert.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the control object comprises one or more of a camera, a display, a rain sensor, an air quality sensor, a driver monitor, a passenger monitor, and a microphone.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the communication hub negotiates with the control object to communicate through the decorative light guide using light having the selected light characteristic.
 11. A system for providing a high-speed optical interconnect in a vehicle, the system comprising: a decorative light guide; a first insert in a first region of the decorative light guide; a second insert in a second region of the decorative light guide; a processor configured to select a light characteristic for optical communication through the decorative light guide based on a current color of the decorative light guide; a light emitter positioned on a surface of the first insert, the light emitter configured to inject light having the light characteristic into the first insert; and a light receiver positioned on a surface of the second insert, the light receiver configured to receive the light at the surface of the second insert.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the light characteristic comprises at least one of a color, a frequency, a wavelength, and an intensity of the light.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the light characteristic is selected such that observable portions of the optical communication through the decorative light guide match the current color of the decorative light guide.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the light characteristic is selected from nonvisual light frequencies.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the light characteristic is selected from visual light frequencies.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the light passes between the first insert and the second insert in a direction parallel to a major surface of the decorative light guide.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the first insert and the second insert each comprise a polished transparent material having a surface variation of less than 3 percent.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the light emitter defines a portion of a communication hub on the surface of the first insert and the light receiver defines a portion of a control object on the surface of the second insert.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the control object comprises one or more of a camera, a display, a rain sensor, an air quality sensor, a driver monitor, a passenger monitor, and a microphone.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the communication hub negotiates with the control object to communicate through the decorative light guide using light having the selected light characteristic. 